System and means of control.



J. S. HADDEN 61 F. H. 10HNSON.

SYSTEM AND MEANS 0F CONTROL.

APPLICATION HL'ED 1u'LY 16. 1914.

fltlllll ENTDRS, g2

Patented 061. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNSSES:

#me/ZM 6 //fl THEIR ATTDRNEY caLuMmA PLANOGRM'H co..\vAsh|Nn10N. D. c,

1. s. HADDEN & F. H. JOHNSON', lSYSTEM AND MEANS 0F CONTROL. I

APPLICATION FILED JULY i6. 1914.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v MIIIIL III Q .SO S E N T l W THEIR ATTDRNEZY JOHN s. HADDEN, or HUNTINGTON PARK, AND FREDERICK' H. JOHNSON, or SOUTH PASADHNA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS To HADDHN AUTOMATIC SPHINKLHH COM- :PANEL or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION or CALIFORNIA.

SYSTEM AND MEANS OF CONTROL.

Specification of Letters Patent. i v Ptgntd QU. 1,2, 1915.

Application led July 16, 1914. Serial No. 851,379.

vImprovements in Systems and Means of Control, of which the following is a speciiication.

^ This invention relates to systems and means of control, and it has for its object to provide improvements of this character applicable to a wide range of mechanisms, devices, apparatus and things, and adapted for use throughout a widerange of service. and in various and sundry arts and branches of industry, andwhereby a traveling actuator may successively actuate, energize, move or set into motion or activitiy, a plurality or series of such apparatus, devices'or other things, all responsive to predeterminable conditions with respect to periodicity or ltime Y inter-relation, and likewise with respect to extent or duration of action of the controlled device or feature.

The invention has Vfor its further object the Vprovision of the improvements of. the

character stated which will be superior in point of relative simplicity and inexpensiveness of construction and organization, convenience and facility in installation, opera- Vtion and control, positiveness in action and reliability and durability, freedom from likelihood to get out of repair, and adapta-V bility to the general conditions' of service in connection with which it is to be installed or employed, and which will be ge'nerallysw perior in eiliciency and serviceability.

l/Vith the above and other objects in view,

the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, construction,V combination, formation, relative arrangement and interielation of features, parts, elements, members and organisms, hereinafter generally as vwell as particularly described, shown in the drawings and finally pointed out in claims.

In the drawings: Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a system and means of control embodying the invention, the same being shown specifically as applied and adapted for controlling the successive actuation of lawn sprinklers or the like; Fig. 2 is an Venlarged detail longitudinal sectional View taken on the line @a2-m?, Fig. 3, and looking in the direction 'of the appended arrows; Fig. 3 is a similar Venlarged Adetail view taken on the line s-Figsll'and 2, Vand 3 looking inthe direction of the appended ai"- vrows; Fig. -l is an enlarged fragmentaryV elevation of a modified form of construction and organization of a part of the system and meansV disclosed in the first threefigures, providing for a return transit of the actuator; and, Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail longi? tudinal sectional view taken upon the line @c5-7x5, Fig. l, and looking in the direction ofthe appended arrows.

vCorresponding parts'in all the figures are designated by the same yreference characters.

Referring with particularity'to the drawings, in which we have shown but one speci'fic embodiment of the improved system and means of control constituting the invention, and which is-merely Van exemplary showing and not intended in the least to establish any metes or bounds for the invention in its general aspects and wide range of adaptability as above pointed out, A in Fig. land yB in Fig. l designate, in yeach instance, a circuit traversed by an lactuator C, shown in Figs. l and 5, which controls a plurality of devices shown as lawn sprinklers D whichare arranged in a series in a predetermined and selected relation, and which are visited successively or in accordance with-a predetermined scheme of visitation by the actuator C.A which sets the sprinkler into operation,

`the lapse of a predetermined periodv of time,

passes to the neXtof series of sprinklers and acts as desired or required in connection therewith. The circuit A is shown as a closed circuit, that isa circuit thelendsyof which are brought together at a common end Y Station a shown in Fig. l and in V detail disclosed in Figs. 2 andB. vIn Fig. 4 the circuit B is shown as having separated end portions,

whereby the actuator does not return to a given starting point, but is introduced withinthe circuit at one end ofthe circuit, as Z), and withdrawn from the Same at the other end, as c.

The circuit A may consist of a conduit or pipe 6 which is broken at the several star tions Z adjacent to the respective sprinklers- D,"e acli` of 'such stations including suitable form and consist of two or more bodies or projectiles or torpedoes 6 linked together as at 9, or of a single body, such plurality of linked bodies .being provided so that the total actuator may convenientlyV round any curves or corners in the circuit, `and hence be more adaptable to the circuit 6. ln the noncontinuous circuit B this actuator is inserted within the conduit 7 at one end or station, Z), after kthe removal of an end cap 10, and is carried through the conduit by water or other fluid entering such conduit adjacent to the vstation b through a supply pipe 11. The actuator isremoved from the other end of the conduit 7 aft-er the removal of an end cap 12 inthe station c. An outlet is provided in the conduit 7 at the stationV c through a drain pipe 13. f

The station a in the closed circuit A is installed in an interruption in the conduit 6,

and includes in its organization and proslot 19 i-n the cylinder 14, and by which arm such 'housing may be. adjusted. Each chamber 16 and 17 is provided with aport 2O adapted to register with a fluid inlet port 21; and each chamber 16 and 17 is provided with a fluid drain port, 22 and 23, respectively, which ports are adapted to alternately register with a fluid drain pipe 24.' The ports 22 and 23 are arranged at one end ofthe housing 15 and the ports 2O are arranged at the other end of said housing. is conveniently providedby forming the cylinder 14 inhalves which are bolted together, as at 25. l

In assembling the parts, the Yactuator C is introduced within the housing 15, as within the chamber 17. When .such housing is turned to bring the actuator up into registration with the end of the conduit 6 shown in the drawing in registration with the chamber 16, fluid is admitted through the supply pipe 21 and the port 20 and the actuator traverses the conduit 6 and finally returns through the same to the chamber 16 where it is brought to rest by the end `of `the cylinder,

The slot 19 Y closing the drain through the pipe 24. The fluid is now shut off at the pipe 21. lVhen it is desired to again start .the actuator upon its circuit, the housing 15 is again turned by the arm 1S and the actuator, now in the chamber 16, is brought up so that the chamber 16 is in the position shown in the drawings, whereupon fluid is again admitted through the port 20 to the chamber 16 and the actuator again traverses itsv circuit.

YWlhcn the actuator arrives at one of the stations (Z, it operates upon the controlling means f thercin installed, `to operate the rcspective sprinkler D, dwell-ing for a predetermined period of time at such station, and then passing on to the next succeeding station d;

The control-ling means ,f are shown as comprising a piston 26 mounted to play within a cylinder 27, the opposite ends of' which communicate with the ends of the in terru-pted conduit 6, such conduit being so interrupted to include the station d and the controlling means thereof. rThe piston is provided with a bore 28 which communicates with the portions of the conduit 6 and which is traversed by the actuator C. Connected with one end of the piston is a packed rod 29 operatively connectedy with a centrally pivoted rocking arm 30 the other end of which is operatively connected with the packed stem 31 of a piston 32 playing within an auxiliary cylinder 33 mounted upon the cylinder 27 g such rod 31 being' formed at one end into a toothed rack34xadapted to mesh with a mutilated pinion 35 Fixed to the stem 36 of' a valve .controlling the 4flow or" water to the sprinkler device D. Such water is supplied to such device, and to each such devices, by a supply -pipe 37 which parallels the conduit 36 yof the circuit a and Vis supplied with water from any suitable source. As the stem 31 plays it opens or closes the valve upon the stem 36 in accordance with any desired rate of timing. The ether end of the piston 26 is .provided with a head 26n which coperates with a dash- Vpot 38 at the corresponding end of the cylinder 27 such dashpctL having a by-pass 39 communica-ting with the cylinder .at one end and with the inner end of the dashpct at the other end; the fiow of fluid through such by-pass being regulated .by an adjusting screw 40 upon the dashpot. l/Vithin the head 26a is formed a chamber 26b communicating with a duct 26c controlled'by a check valve 26d, permitting How of iuid from the cylinder 27 into the dashpot as the head 26L Arecedes from the dashpot, and preventing accommodated in a chamber in the piston; and the lower end of the stem 4()a normally intrudes within the bore 28 and projects within the path of transit of theactuatorf C ,through such bore. An adjustable trip device' consisting of a screw 43V is threaded in the en'd of the cylinder which is provided with a daslipot, the beveled nose. 44 of the same being disposed in thev path of movement of the head 41 whensuch head moves jointly with the piston. l

. Vith the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 5, when the actuator enters the bore 28, it stiikesthe lower intruding end of the stem carrying the piston, which with its parts moves in a liquid bath in the cylinder 27, in the direction ofthe dashpo-t. Asthe head 2Ga enters the dashpot the movement of the piston is retarded, beingphased in accordanceV with the rate of How vof fluid through the duct 39 subject to the control of the adjusting screw 40. l/Vhen this progress of the piston has brought the nose 44 into engagement with the beveled head 4l, the stem 40a is raised, releasing vthe actuator which is carried by the fluid in the conduit 6 out ofthe bore 28 and on lfarther through the conduit 6, and so to the'neXt station (Z.

During the movement of the piston 26 as last recited, the stems 29 and 31 move to lopen the valve upon the stem .36,jthereby setting the sprinkler devicer in operation. The piston 32, of course, moves toward the right-hand extremity of the cylinder 33. A by-passl is provided between the conduit 6 beyond the end of the cylinder'27 provided with a dashpot 38, and the lfar end of the cylinder 33. Vihen theactuator has passed lthe by-pass 45, power fiuid in the conduit 6 enters such by-pass and flows Vinto ythe cylinder 33, moving the piston 32 and the stem 31 so'as to close the valve upon the stem 36 and terminate the action of the sprinkler device.' -This action, through the stems 31 and 29 and the lever 30, restores the piston 26 to the position shown in the drawings, the head 2G being withdrawn from 'the dashpot '38, which action is permitted by the flow of fluid from the cylinder 27.` through the duct 25C and past the 'check valve 26l Y Vthe controlling means F Yin'each station l will be the same, and as described.

The difference inaction as between the two circuits, with respect -tothe actuator, that is with respect toinitiating the transit of they actuator, as'above pointedl out, thelactuator in one instancev always remaining within the closed circuit, and being shifted from its position'at. the end of `the .transit to its position to jbegin transit of the V'circuit bv adjustingthe'housing 15 in the cylinder 14 .through the agency of the arm 13; whereas in using the circuit B, the'a'ctuator lis simply taken vfrom the end 0 of the'circuit, by removingthe cap 12, and' is lre-introduced vinto such circuit at the endl) thereof, after removal of the cap 10. w v v It is manifest that many changes may be made `in the provision, construction,.formation, association and relative arrangement of features, parts and members 'in adapting the invention to varying services in` thevarious arts and branches of'industry or conditionsv ofservice to which the invention is applicable, as'above stated, all without Vdeparting` from the spirit of theinvention.

Having thus disclosed our invention, we

said devices and 'actuatethe same; means be- Ving provided vwhereby the lperiod of .each

actuation may be vvaried by` independently 'varying the period ofgdwell of the actuator at each of saiddevices.

` 2.- Improvements of :the character disclosed, comprisinga plurality of separate devices, a plurality of separate Vcontrolling means,.one for each of said devices, 'an actuator, vand means for causing the actuator to independently visit and operate uponv said separate lcontrolling means; said latter means comprising 1 a `fluid circuit within which the actuator traverses underpressure applied to the fluid thereof; eachl of said separate controlling means comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, stopmeans carried by the piston and normally disposed in the path of the'actuato'nand lmeans withdrawing said last named means from Athe path of the actuator, uponV a predetermined movement of the piston. Y

' 3. Improvements of the character disdevices, a pluralityof 'separate controlling means, one for each of said devices, an'actuator, and means for causing the actuator to independently visit and operate upon said separate controlling means; said latter means comprising avv fluid circuit within which the actuator' traverses under 'pressure applied to v the fluid thereof; each of saidseparate'controlling 'means comprising a cylinder, a pis- 315 vclosed, comprisinga plurality of vseparate ton` therein, stoprmeans carried by' the pis- I ton and normally disposed in th'e path of theactuator, and means withdrawing said lastnamed ineans'from the path of the actuator,v upon a predetermined.'movement'of the 'l' .separate controlling means;

piston; said last named means being adjustablef Y Y l 4L. Improvements of the character disclosed, comprising a plurality of separate devices, a plurality of separate controlling i means, one for earch of said devices, an actuator, and means for causing the actuator to independently visit and operate upon said separate controlling means; said latter means vcomprising a fluid circuit Within VWhich rthe actuator traverses under pressure applied to the fluid thereof; each of said separate controlling means comprising a cylinder, apiston therein, stop means carried by the piston and normally disposed in the path ofthe actuator, and means Withdrawing said last named means from the path of the actuator, upona predetermined movement of the piston; said ycylinder being provided with a dashpot which cooperates With said piston to vary the rate of motion thereof.

5. Improvements of the character disclosed,comprising a plurality of separate devices, a plurality of separate controlling lmeans, one'for each of said devices, an actuator, and means for causing the actuator to independently visit 4and operate upon said said latter means comprising a fluid circuit Within which the actuator traverses Linder rpressure applied to the fluid thereof; each of said -separate controlling meanscomprising a cylinder, a piston therein, stop means carried by the piston and normally disposed ,in the ator, and vmeans for causing the actuator tol independently vvisit and operate upon said separate controlling means; said latter means comprising a fluid circuit Within which the actuator traverses under pressure appliedto the fluid thereof; each of said separate controlling means comprising a Y cylinder, a piston therein, stop means carlried by Vthe piston and normally disposed in the path of the actuator, and means Withdrawingsaid last named means from the path of the actuator, upon a predetermined ymovement of the piston; said cylinder being provided with a dashpot which coperates `With said piston to vary the rate of motion thereof; said dashpot being provided with a by-pass and with means for varying the rate of flow of fluid through said by-pass.

7. Improvements of the character disclosed, comprising a plurality of rseparate devices, a plurality of separate controlling means, one for each of said devices, an actuator, and means for causing the actuator to independently visit and operate upon said separate controlling means; said latter means comprising a fluid circuit Within which the actuator traverses under pressure applied to the fluid-thereof; leach of said separate controlling means comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, stop means carried by the piston and normally disposed in the path of the actuator, and means Withdrawing said last named means from the path of the actuator, upon a predetermined vmovement of the piston; said cylinder being provided With, a dashpot Which cooperates with said piston to vary the rate of motion thereof; said piston being provided yat the portion thereof which enters the dashpot With a duct for supplying fluid to the dashpot upon the Withdrawal of the piston therefrom, and With a check valve in such duct.

S. In improvements of thecharacter disclosed, a closed fluid circuit interrupted to include a cylinder, said cylinder, an-actuator adapted to traverse said circuit, a housing for said actuator adjustable in said cylinder and provided With tivo chambers, said -circuit communicating at opposite ends of said cylinder and eccentrically, and means for introducing fluid to a chamber 1n said housing, said cylinder serving as a stop for the actuator at the end of the circuit Whereby said housing requires to be adjusted to re-intrcduce the actuator to the circuit and free the actuator forre-traverse of the ciri cuit.

Aby said housing requires to-vbe adjusted to reintroduce the actuator to the circuit and free the actuator for re-traverse of the circuit; said cylinder being ylil';e\vise provided with a drain opening adapted to communicate with a chamber in said housing.

10. In improvements of the character disclosed, a closedfluid'circuit interrupted to include a cylinder, said cylinder, an actuatoradapted to traverse said circuit, means for introducing fluid Withinsaid cylinder, said circuit communicating with said cylinder at ya plurality of points, and means in part within the cylinder for directing' the actuator when received within said cylinder to said circuit for re-traverse of the same, said cylinder checking the actuator on completion of said circuit.

ll. Improvements of the character disclosed, comprising an operable device, controlling means for said device, an actuator, and means for causing the actuator to visit and operate upon said controlling means;

sure applied to the Huid therein; said controlling means comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, stop means carried by the pis ton and normally disposed in the path of names to this specification in the presenceV of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN S. HADDEN.

FREDERICK I-I. JOHNSON. litnesses ALFRED I-I. DAEHLER, ELIZABETH F. HILLMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by Vaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, il).` C3 v 

